Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia To Contest Haryana Elections as Congress Candidates: Report

New Delhi: Olympian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia on Wednesday joined the Congress party and now will contest the Haryana polls as the party’s candidates, according to an NDTV report. The report further adds that Phogat is expected to challenge the Julana seat held by the Jannayak Janta Party’s Amarjeet Dhanda. Punia’s likely seat is unclear.

Earlier today, the wrestlers met Rahul Gandhi at his residence. The party has always remained tightlipped about whether Punia and Phogat could be field with AICC general secretary in-charge Haryana Deepak Babaria saying on Tuesday that there will be clarity on it by Thursday.

The Congress put out a photograph of Gandhi with Phogat and Punia on its official X handle.

Punia and Phogat were part of the protest over sexual harassment allegations against former BJP MP and then Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023.

Congress’ central election committee has cleared the names of candidates for 66 seats out of 90 till Tuesday.

Though names have not been declared but the Congress’ candidates list is set to be out in a day or two. Voting on 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and counting of votes will be undertaken on October 8.